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W. H. & W. H. MARKLAND.

ELECTRIC LIGHT REGULATOR.

No. 245,529. Patented Aug. 9,1881,

5 v g I i [$551 17. Afmzzmwz, W Q 4% 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAM H. MAEKLAND AND W'YLLIS H. MARKLAND, 0F BROOKLYN, ASSIGNORS TO THE EMPIRE ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, a. Y.

ELECTRIC-LIGHT REGULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,529, dated August 9, 1881.

ApplicationfiledMaylO, 1881. (NomodeL) To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, WILLIAM H. MARK- LAND and WYLLIs H. MARKLAND, citizens of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Light Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to that class of electric lamps which employs, as a means of producing light, the voltaic arc obtained by the combustion of carbon electrodes. Its object is to secure a uniform and reliable balance movement of one or both of the electrodes; and it further contemplates an improved method of establishing an electrical connection with the electrode.

Various devices have been employed to govern the movement of the electrodes in this class of electric lamps, in order to secure a steady and unvarying light. The principal difficulty lies in preventing frequent and sudden changes in the distance of the electrodes from each other, which cause a flickering and unsteady light.

Our invention is designed to overcome this difliculty by diminishing the amount and extent of these variations through the agency of an improved magnetic clutch, which acts upon the movable electrode. This clutch consists, in general, of a helix or coil of wire having a hollow cylindrical core constructed in two sec tions, the one hinged or pivoted to the other in such a manner that, when magnetized by a current of electricity traversing the coil or helix, they shall be repelled from each other. Within this hollow'core we extend the carbon electrode, or a rod for holding the same. The relative size of the electrode and the opening through the core is such that the former shall be grasped and firmly held by the clutch when the core is magnetized. The core is also movable within the coil in a longitudinal direction, and is so constructed that it sh all be drawn into the coil when magnetized by the current in the helix. Thus we secure two distinct movements-one grasping the electrode, the other separating it from the opposite electrode.

Our invention further consists in an improved method of suspending the electrode and establishing an electrical connection therewith.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a sectional front elevation of our improved mechanism for regulating the movement of the upper electrode of an electric lamp; Fig. 2, a cross-section of the magnetic clutch; Fig. 3, a cross-section of the friction or contact rollers for holding the electrode, or the rod to which it is attached.

In Fig. l A and B represent two electromagnetic coils or helices, A being constructed of thick, and B of thin, wire. 0 D represent the hollow cylindrical core of the coil A, and G of the coil B. The two cores are of soft iron, united to each other by means of a tube, H, of brass or other non-magnetic material, into which they are screwed or fastened in any convenient manner. The whole cylinder or hollow rod thus formed is fitted into and is movable longitudinally within the hollowtube H, upon which the coils A and B are wound.

I is a'lever for balancing the weight of the core and electrode. It is hung upon the sup port 1, and provided with a sliding connection with the core G through the projection i.

To the opposite end of the lever is attached the coiled spring K, the tension of which is regulated by an adjustable screw, L, and socket L.

The core 0 D of the coil A, which acts as a clutch for the electrode F, is, as before stated,- hollow, and is constructed in two parts or sections. To the lower end of the main section (J is secured a metallic disk, E, which is provided with an adjustable set-screw or stop, 0, for limiting the upward motion of the entire movable core. The core-section O is provided with two projections or ears 0 0, (see Fig. 2,) to which the lower end of the other section, D, is pivoted by means of the projections or pins (1 cl. The section D extends below the point where it is pivoted a short distance for the purposehereinaftershown. The pointatwhich the sections D and 0 should be hinged together is preferably near the lower end of the coil A. The ends 0 D of the two sections of the core,

' being, when magnetized, of like polarity, will repel each other. This will cause the end D of the section D to be pressed against and grasp the electrode F. A sufficient space is left between the interior of the coil A and the exterior of the core-section D to allow of the required motion.

It may desirable in some cases to construct the portion of the section or clamp D which extends below the pivot d of brass or other non-magnetic material. In this manner the force with which the upper portion of the section I) will be repelled from the section 0 may be increased, since it will not be counterbalanced by the repulsion of the opposite end from the lower end of the'section G. The diameter of the openings through the cores O and G is such as to allow free movement of the electrode F when not detained by the clutch D. The upper end of the core G is also provided with a disk or flange, G, similar to that at the lower end of the section 0, which, like the disk E, is provided with a set-screw, g, for limiting the movement of the entire movable core or tube.

M M M are friction-rollers for holding or guiding the carbon electrode and establishing an electrical connection therewith.

M M are simple flat or slightly-grooved rollers, and bear against the side of the electrode F.

The roller M is preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 3, having a sharp or wedge-like periphery, m, which fits into a groove,/', along the length of the upper electrode. The object in constructing it in this manner is to prevent the electrode from turning or twisting, and at the same time to secure a more perfect electrical contact. The roller M may, like the rollers M M, be hung upon a stationary support, in, or upon a movable sliding support, m, and provided with a spring, a, for pressing the roller against the electrode.

The connections with the battery or generator are made in the usual mannerthat is to say, through the coil A, rollers M ill M to the electrode F, the opposite pole of the generator being connected with the other electrode. The coil B is, as before stated, of thin wire, and offers a resistance nearly equal to that of the lamp itself, including the arenand acts as a shunt-circuit for maintaining a constant resistance. The arrangements by which this is effected are constructed and applied in the usual and well-known manner, and, since they form no part of the present invention, need not be more particularly described. hen no electric current is traversing the coils the upper carbon electrode, F, is dropped upon the lower electrode by force of gravity. If, however, the connection is established with the battery or generator, the current through the coil A magnetizes the core 0 D. The upper end of the section D is thereupon repelled from the section 0, thus causing the end D to grasp the electrode F, and at the same time the entire core (J D is drawn upward into the coil A as far as is allowed by the screw 0, thus separatthe coil A and electrode F diminishes, on account of the consumption of the ends of the electrodes, and the increased resistance thereby offered by the arc, the magnetism of the entire core 0 D diminishes proportionally. Thus the pressure of the end 1) upon the electrode F is diminished, allowing the electrode to descend, but arrest-ing it as the current becomes stronger.

The connection with the electrode F may be made in any of the usual methods instead of through the rollers M M M. In some cases it may be preferable to substitute a metallic or other suitable holding-rod for that portion of the electrode which extends through the clutch and guiding-wheels. This may be readily done without changing the form of the clutch.

We do not propose to limit ourselves to the method shown in the drawings of pivoting the section or clamp D. It may, for instance, be found desirable in certain cases to extend the tube H to the lower end of the coil A, and pivot the core-sections to the interior of this tube. The form of the sections of the core may also be varied in any desired manner. It is not necessary to construct the core in two sections merely, but it may be supplied with any desirable number of clamps, so pivoted as to operate in a manner similar to that described with reference to the clamp D. We prefer, however, to oonstructitafter the manner shown in the drawings, using the section G as the support for the movable portion D, and pivoting the latter at a point located near or a little below the lower end of the coil A. The use of this clutch is not confined to the particular form of regulators herein described. It may be applied to various other regulators using an electro-magnet to control the movement of either or both electrodes. \Ve prefer to use it in connection with the lights regulating only the up per electrode; but it may be easily applied to lower electrodes as well by providing a suitable means for exerting an upward pressure upon this electrode.

Instead of having the clutch at the lower end of the core, the upper end of the section D may be provided with a ring-like extension or band to surround the electrode or holding-rod, and bind the same, when the ends 0 and D are separated, by pressing against it.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is 1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a hollow helix and a hollow core movable longitudinally within said helix, divided longitudinally into sections, which sections are united by a hinge.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a hollow helix, a hollow core divided longitudinally into sections, which are united by a hinge, and an electrode or rod for holding the same passingaxially through the hollow core, which is clamped between the sec- In testimony whereof we have hereunto sub- 10 tions thereof when the helix is traversed by scribed our names this 9th day of May, A. D. an electric current. 1881.

3. The combination, substantially as herein- 5 beforeset forth, of a cylindrical carbon electrode, or a rod. for holding the same, a longitudinal groove formed in one side of said elec- Witnesses: trode or rod, and a, guiding-wheel, having a CHARLES A. TERRY,

periphery of V-shaped section. MILLER O. EARL. 

